Prognosis

South Africa Says It Has Secured 20 Million Virus Vaccines

Government extends alcohol ban, limits cross-border travel
Hospitals are battling to cope with Covid-19 patient influx

A medical worker speaks with a patient at a walk-in and drive-thru coronavirus testing facility in Pretoria.Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg

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By Mike Cohen and S'thembile Cele

January 11, 2021 at 6:52 PM UTC

Updated on

January 12, 2021 at 7:10 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government has secured millions more doses of coronavirus vaccines as he extended a ban on alcohol sales and restricted cross-border travel to curb the spread of the disease.

The country will remain on virus alert level 3, Ramaphosa said Monday in a televised address. Land-border posts will be closed to most travelers until Feb. 15, public gatherings other than funerals won’t be allowed, and a nationwide curfew will be enforced from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.